The Minister of Environmental Affairs, Mrs Edna Molewa will lead the Inter-Ministerial site visit and public awareness inititative on Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD) on Friday, 29 April 2016 in Bensonvale College, Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape.
The purpose of the site visit and public awareness initiative is to showcase to the public and demonstrate to the political heads the extent of desertification as well as the relevant strategies implemented to address the challenge.
A pilot land rehabilitation project funded by the Department of Environmental Affairs will be showcased in the Eastern Cape. This project falls under the Working for Land focus area which is an Expanded Public Works Programme.
The objective of this project is to address the impacts of desertification, land degradation,drought, rehabilitation and restoration. The project also aims to help with job creation, small business development and skils development in the area.
The areas that the project is targeting include Jozana’s Hoek, Magwiji, Sundudza and Jozana’s neck. The project entails erosion control, rehabilitation of dongas, construction of gabion structures, and re-vegetation of the area through the planting of shrubs and trees that are indigenous to the area.
Twelve million rand was allocated to the project from July 2011 to July 2013, for the first phase. An allocation of R 9 million was made for the 2014 to 2016 financial year for the second phase.
Desertification is land degradation in drylands that affects biological productivity as well as the livelihoods of millions of people. It is caused by a combination of human and natural factors that contribute to an unsustainable use of natural resources which include soil, water, air, vegetation, solar and wind energy.
Minister Molewa will be joined by Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister, Mr Senzeni Zokwana and Department of Public Works Minister, Mr Thembelani Thulas Nxesi.
Media is invited to cover the event as follows, and will be afforded opportunities for photographs and interviews.
Date: Friday, 29 April 2016
Time: 10h00 to 15h00
Venue: Bensonvale College, Sterkspruit, Eastern Cape
To RSVP contact:
Sivuyile Ngaba
Cell: 071 403 5294
E-mail: sngaba@environment.gov.za
For media queries contact:
Bigboy Moagi
Cell: 082 604 7051
